Available Scholarships
THE CHARLES RIVER LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP – $2,000
The Charles River Leadership Scholarship seeks to support and cultivate the next generation of global leaders. Leadership is a vital element of any successful organization and effective leaders will influence the future as well as the lives of those they lead. A leader is influential to those around them while being steadfast and humble in the pursuit of their vision. In order to be considered for the Charles River Leadership Scholarship, the applicant should demonstrate classroom achievement as reflected by a minimum GPA of 3.0. A career interest in the areas of science or engineering may enhance the candidacy of the applicant but all are welcome to apply.
THE FOUNDERS’ SCHOLARSHIP – $2,000
The MPEF Founders Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior at Mattawan High School who is furthering their education at a community college, trade school, or accredited training institution. Applicants should have demonstrated school involvement and good citizenship through participation in school activities. Applicants may have been involved in any co-curricular or extra curricular school activities. It is intended to assist a graduate in pursuit of furthering their education in any field of study.
The scholarship honors the original founding members of the Mattawan Public Education Foundation: Bob Cretsinger, Mona Furtwangler, Shari Magrath, Bob Pangle, and David Yates. In 1992 these visionary individuals established the foundation to provide support for the educational community. Their passion, commitment, and inspiration has since flourished and significantly contributes to the success of Mattawan schools and students.
This scholarship seeks to support a thoughtful, dedicated student as they further their education and seek to enrich their life.
THE TAYLOR E. GRAINGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $2,500 x 4 scholarships
Taylor Grainger passed away on May 15, 2007, at age 14 after a life-long battle with a congenital heart defect. Taylor had a kind soul and a loving heart. Taylor always enjoyed being around people. She applied her ever-present creativity and imagination to everything she did. Taylor considered many careers, but choices that centered on working with children or involved helping others were at the top of her list. No matter what her eventual choice might have been, she would have done it with extreme effort and a smile on her face. The Taylor E. Grainger scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Mattawan High School who has demonstrated and pursued an interest in the service of others by way of volunteering in the community or by working children with or without special needs. Examples of this service to others may include but is not limited to: Habitat for Humanity, food drives, elderly assistance programs, church mission trips, working at specialty camps, etc. The scholarship is intended to assist graduating seniors in pursuit of a college education particularly in the fields of education, medicine or social work. Graduating senior must have at least a 3.2 grade point average to apply.
CALEB J. KERWIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $1,500
The Caleb J. Kerwin Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Mattawan High School who has demonstrated a commitment to the service of others through activities in the school or the outside community plus demonstrated achievement in the classroom. It is intended to assist a graduate in pursuit of a college education, in any field of study. As Caleb’s parents relate, “Caleb was a healthy, active toddler when, at the age of 2 ½, he drowned in a swimming pool. He was resuscitated and for the next 12 years clung to life while being cared for by his family and friends. Each day was a struggle for him, but his presence in our lives taught us more than words can say. When he died at the age of 14, we wanted his memory to continue to enrich others. Our hope is the recipient of this scholarship will work towards a goal that will enrich the lives of others as well as his or her own.
EXPLORE *DREAM* DISCOVER SCHOLARSHIP by Kalamazoo Safari Company & Wildcat Photography – $1,000
We believe that when people see more they know more and that the quest of new is the stuff dreams are made of. Our goal is to encourage dreams that lead to making the world more connected. We are seeking seniors who dream of learning through exploring the world and who display curiosity of cultural differences. Whether you are looking for funding for your first year at a college or trade school, this scholarship may be for you. Please use your essay (in 500 words or less) to share with us what interaction with different cultures would mean to you and what you expect to gain from that experience. We would love to learn about the events in your life that fanned the flames of your curiosity to explore different cultures and increasing understanding
of the world. Whether your career goals are vague or focused, please share how a global perspective will be beneficial. This scholarship does not require a major area of study or GPA requirement.
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“
― Mark Twain
MPEF FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP – $1,500
The MPEF First-Generation College Student Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Mattawan High School senior who will be a first-generation college student in any field of study. It is intended to support a graduate whose biological parents did not graduate from a four-year college. To be the first in a family to graduate from college takes determination and a strong work ethic. We hope this scholarship will help the recipient excel in college, contribute to their campus community, graduate, and begin a fulfilling career.
MPEF FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP – $1,500
This scholarship will be awarded to a Mattawan High School graduating senior who has successfully completed the equivalent of three years of high school foreign language credit. Applicants should also have been involved in extracurricular activities outside the classroom and have achieved a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. This scholarship is intended to support a graduating senior who plans to further their foreign language study in college by pursuing either a major or minor in a foreign language or by studying abroad.
MPEF ARTS SCHOLARSHIP – $1,000
The Mattawan Public Education Foundation Arts Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has actively participated in either visual or performing arts during their high school years. This could include, but not be limited to: music, theater, digital media, painting, drawing, sculpture, or writing. This scholarship is intended to assist a graduate in the pursuit of a college education in a field of study related to the arts.
JACKSON PEEBLES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $1,000
Jackson Peebles was a 2011 graduate of Mattawan High School. He was an extremely bright and caring individual who dedicated himself to making the world a better place. During his school years, and while attending Western Michigan University’s Lee Honors College as a Medallion Scholar, Jackson excelled as a student and as a force for positive change. This scholarship honors Jackson and seeks to assist others in their pursuit of excellence and positive change. Applicants should indicate ways in which they have served their community during their school years and how that has impacted them. Applicants must have attained a minimum overall 3.0 GPA during their high school years. Consideration will also be given to applicants intending to focus their advanced education in disciplines that provide direct support for others: mental health (e.g. psychology, psychiatry, counseling), medical studies, social work, or assisting the disabled. These areas are examples of the essence of Jackson’s brief but purposeful lifework.
WESTERN DIVERSIFIED PLASTICS, LLC & MOL-SON, INC., LLC SCHOLARSHIP – $2,000
Formerly the EPC Scholarship, this scholarship was established in 1996 as the Engineered Plastic Components Endowed Scholarship in observance of EPC’s 10th anniversary, as an expression of gratitude for the support shown over the years by the Mattawan Community. The Western Diversified Plastics, LLC & Mol-Son, Inc., LLC Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Mattawan High School who wishes to pursue, at the college or university level, a major in Business, Engineering, or Plastic Technology. In keeping with Engineered Plastic Components’ tradition of community support and service, the scholarship recipient should document a significant level of involvement in community/school activities, which demonstrates a commitment to serving the needs of others.
DAVID HINKEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $1,000
David Hinkel was a passionate educator, mentor, leader, and friend. He founded and developed the Mattawan High School Junior Achievement program he named Wildcat Enterprises. David exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit and nurtured that in his students. As a teacher he sought to develop positive relationships with each and every student he served and was committed to empowering them to realize their potential. His consistent good nature, warm smile, silly sense of humor, and insistence in finding the “gold” in every moment provided fertile ground from which each and every person who was blessed to share time with him was sure to grow. This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who intends to pursue a future in business or industry. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated engagement in school activities outside the classroom. Applicants are encouraged to address how they have earned school success despite challenges or adversity they may have encountered.
NANCY KAUPPI SAUNDERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $1,000
A longtime resident and valued member of the community, Nancy and her husband Bill Saunders raised two proud Mattawan graduates, Andrea and Eric, while living on their working grape and apple farm. A talented woman of substance, Nancy partnered in the day to day farm operation and helped remodel the aging farmhouse. She also designed and produced women’s clothing as well as beautiful quilts. She cherished her Finnish heritage and her years growing up in the Upper Peninsula town of Sault Ste. Marie. Nancy valued the importance of education and a strong work ethic that influenced all aspects of her life.
This scholarship is intended to support a graduate who shares Nancy’s love of the natural world and the environment that she nurtured and cared for. It will be awarded to a graduating senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an interest in pursuing further education in the Environmental Sciences. This includes, but is not limited to, fisheries, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, oceanography, meteorology, microbiology, soil and plant sciences, ecology, horticulture, forestry, and the environment. May she rest in peace in the knowledge that her memory and values live on in this scholarship.
WESTNEDGE FAMILY DENTISTRY SCHOLARSHIP – $1,500
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Mattawan High School senior who seeks to pursue a career as a Dental Hygienist. This career is a critical contributor to the health and welfare of the people of every community.
As this is a career that requires strong interpersonal skills, applicants should provide evidence of experience being a team player and a good listener, as well as being flexible, and reliable. Applicants should also describe experiences helping others in the school or community.
Nomination Scholarships
JAMES ARNOLD SCHOLARSHIP – $500
The James L. Arnold Leadership Scholarship award is given in memory of Army Pfc. James L. “Jimmy” Arnold, a true American hero, who died in the service of his country on March 15, 2007, while on duty in Iraq. His father, along with members of his family, friends and involved citizens, have established an endowed memorial fund in order to preserve Jimmy’s legacy of exemplary leadership. The intent of this annual college scholarship is to grant financial assistance toward a college degree to one graduating senior varsity athlete, either male or female, who best reflects the leadership skills and traits shown by Jimmy Arnold during his athletic endeavors at Mattawan High School and his service in the United States Army. This is a nomination-based scholarship.
JON-MIGUEL PORN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $1,000
This scholarship will pay tribute to the memory of Jon-Miguel Porn, a Mattawan High School graduate who died tragically in an auto accident in the summer of 2015. Jon-Miguel, a genuine and sincere student, supported the Peer Assistant Leader (PALS) Program during his years at MHS. Jon-Miguel’s family noted that he was helped by the PALS Program, and his friends were helped after his death. The recipient of this annual scholarship will be a graduating Peer Assistant Leader (PAL) who will be recognized for his or her efforts to reach out, help, and support students as they transition through their high school experiences. This is a nomination-based scholarship.
If you have any questions, please contact us at lori.earls@mpef.org
